Safety pallet-storage aid



March 25, 1958 w, A, Frr-roN E AL 2,828,040

SAFETY PALLET-STORAGE AID Original Fi led Jan. 28, 1952 r 4 Sheets-Sheet1 INVENTOR WILLIAM A.FITTON 8| WALTER GPARKER ATTORNEY March 25, 1958 w.A. FITTON ETAL SAFETY PALLET-STORAGE AID Original Filed Jan. 28, 1952 4Sheets-Sheet 2 8 INVENTOR WILLIAM AFITTON a WALTER GPARKER.

ATTORNEY w. A. FITTON ETAL SAFETY PALLET-STORAGE AID Original Filed Jan.28, 1952 March 25, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR WILLIAM A. FITTON 8|WALTER'G.PARKER.

BY I 5-. 1 2M ATTORNEY March 9 w; A. FITTON |=:rAL 2,828,040

SAFETY PALLET-STORAGE AID 7 Original Filed Jan. I 28, 1952 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENT OR w! LLIAM A.FITTON a WALTER e. PARKER BYATTORNEY United States Patent l SAFETY PALLET-STORAGE AID William A.Fitton, Portsmouth, and Walter G. Parker, Norfolk, Va.

Continuation of application Serial No. 268,652, January 28, 1952. Thisapplication N0. 387,334

11 Claims. (Cl. 214730) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec.266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by orfor the Government of the United States of America for governm talpurposes without payment of any royalties thereon therefor.

This invention relates to animproved platform or pallet for use with anindustrial lift truck, and more particularly relates to a platformadapted to be releasably carried on the forks, of an industrial lifttruck, the platform having a section movable laterally which permitsmore efficient handling of. the material to be transported by the truck.

Fork lift trucks are now generally used for inside transportat-i'on ofmaterials; and they are particularly useful in such places as warehousesand distribution centers where the materials are stored in piles ofconsiderable height. It is. desirable, in such places, to keep theaisles. between piles as, narrow as. possible in order to get a maximumof storage space. However, the aisles must allow for movement. of .thelift truck and permit it to be conveniently loaded and unloaded. Withconventional rigid pallets, the aisles must, be comparatively Wide inorder to provide maneuverability for and accessibility to the truck. Incases where the aisles are too narrow, it is necessary for a worker tolift material manually and transport it manually for a distance to orfrom the truck, depending on whether the. truck is being, loaded orunloaded; and inthe event that the material is heavy a safety hazard isthus created.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lift-truck platform forhandling heavy loads, the platform being pallet-like in construction andhaving a transversely movable. section wholly supported by the platformwithout the use of external framework.

It is an object of the invention to provide a platform for a lift truck,the platform having a laterally movable section that makes it convenientto. load and unload the truckin narrow aisles.

It is an object of this invention to provide a platform for a lifttruck, having a section movable laterally for permitting the truck to besafely and efficiently loaded and unloaded at the top of a pile ofgoods.

Itis a further object of the invention to provide a platform of a typedescribed for use with a lift truck, the platform having a transverselymovable section, and being simple and economical to build, and easy andsafe to operate.

it is an additional object of the invention to provide a platform of atype described having a transversely movable section, which platform isso constructed that it can be used in place of a rigid pallet, ifdesired.

The improved platform of the invention comprises a base section adaptedto be held by the forks of the lift truck, and a laterally movablesection above the level of the forks. The base portion also comprises ashelf portion having a top on a level with that of the movable section,and serving as a. fixed shelf for a load. The movable section is movabletransversely of the shelf portion at any elevation of the fork lift, andcan be used for loading or unloading thereof, so that the section can bedesignated as a loader. In the preferred embodiment, rollers and October20, 1953, Serial 7 2,828,040 Patented Mar. 25, 1958 guide tracks areprovided on the movable section and base section for easy movement ofthe movable section, and also for confining support of the movablesection. For safety and proper operation, latch or lock means areprovided for holding the movable, section laterally extended. forloading or unloading, or for securing the movable section in matedoraligned position with the shelf portion for transfer of load to orfromthe shelf portion. By looking the movable section properly afterloading, the platform becomes, in effect, a rigid pallet that permitsthe lift truck to be moved forward or backward in a narrow aisle.Preferably the platform is made of steel for added life and strength.

The invention as to organization and mode of operation together withfurther objects and advantages thereof may best be understood byreference to the following detailed description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings in Which like reference numerals designatelike parts throughout the, figures thereof. In the drawings which are onvarious scales:

Fig. l is a View, in a. general perspective outline, of a fork lifttruck having the improved platform of applicants invention mounted .onthe forks thereof, broken lines being used to show the relative positionof the movable section when extended;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the improved platform on the forks of thetruck, with parts broken away and in section for more clearly showingthe construction of the platform;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the movable section of the platform,looking at its bottom side;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a back portion of the platform with themovable section removed;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the lines V-Vof Fig. 2; v

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line VI-VIof Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the lines VIIVIIof Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, there is shown in Fig. 1 an industrial truck 1t having apair of laterally spaced load supporting forks 11 and mechanism (notshown) for raising and lowering the forks 11.

The forks 11 are adapted to be placed into and removed from suitablespaces in a platform 12 which is of the nature of a pallet usually usedfor such purposes. The platform 12 comprises a movable section orloader, referred to in its entirety by the numeral 14, and a basesection referred to in its entirety by the numeral 16; the loader beingcarried by the base section 16 at the upper back part of the basesectionand being movable transversely, or laterally, between limiting positionswith respect thereto (one such position being generally indicated by thebroken lines therefor in Fig-1) and to intermediate positionstherebetween.

The movable loader 14 of the platform 12 comprises a double floor plate13, Fig, 5, to the under side of which a back angle iron or bar 20 and afront angle iron or bar 21 are secured with their vertical sides flushwith the lateral edges of the floor 18 and co-extensive therewith. Eachof the bars 20 and 21 rotatably carries a plurality of spaced rollers22, the rollers being outward of the associated bar. The rollers areadapted to ride or roll in suitable lateral tracks in the base section16 of the platform 12, as later described.

Each of the'angle bars 20 and 21 securely receives a stop bolt. Asbetter shown in Fig. 3, these stop bolts 24 and 25 are on diagonallyopposite corners of the movable loader 14 of the platform 12 and extendinwardly of the loader for a short length. The stops 2.4 and 25 passthrough fitting holes in the back and front angle bars 20 and 21,respectively, and can be secured to the angle bars after the loader 14is associated with the base section 16. To this end, a pair of nuts 26can be advantageously used in an obvious manner, one nut on each side ofan angle bar. 1.

Also secured to the underside ofthe floor 18 extending laterallycentrally thereof, is a back angle bar 27 and a front angle bar 28, thebars being'spaced and parallel, and having their foot portions 29directed away from the lateral centerline of the floor 18. The spacedvertical sides of the angle bars 27 and 28 form rails for confiningrollers on the base section, as described subsequently. Accordingly thebars 27 and 28 are hereinafter referred to as rails, and with the spacetherebetween forming a track 38. The back rail or bar 27 has its lowerfree edge provided with a plurality of rectangular latching notches 32spaced along the full len gth of the rail.'

The base section 16 of the platform 12 comprises a horizontal bottomplate 31 and sides 33 and 34, the bottom and sides extendingforsubstantially the longitudinal length of the platform. Each of thesides 33 and 34 is in the form of an elongated bar or plate having astep cut into it at arising edge 36 whichdivides the upper edge of theassociated side into a back edge portion 38 and a front edge portion 40.A horizontal intermediate base plate 42 extends transversely to andbetween the sides 35 and 34, and extends longitudinally from the frontto the rear of the platform. The base plate 42 is at the level of theback edge portion 38 and substantially parallel to the bottom plate 31.

The base section 16 is strengthened by'spaced longitudinal channels 44,45, 46 and47 secured to the base plate 42 and the bottom plate 31 andextending from front to back of the platform 12. The lower space betweenthe bottom plate 31 and the base plate 42 is open at the front end so asto conveniently receive the forks 11 of the truck 16. Preferably thetransverse separation of the adjacent channels 44 and 45 and of channels46 and 47 is adequate to allow ready entry and removal of the forks 11but suificiently close to limit disturbing side play.

The back end of the base section 16 of the platform 12 comprises aninverted L-shaped end plate or angle 48 having a horizontal leg or lip50 which overhangs and is spaced from the base plate 42 to form a guidetrack 52.

The central part of the base section 16 at the rising edges 36 comprisesa transverse channel 54 parallel to the end 48. A horizontal top plate56 rests on the channel 54 and edge portions 48 of the sides 33 and 34of the base section 16. Spaced longitudinal channels 60, 61,62 and. 63between the base plate 42'an'd top plate 56 extend from a front channel65 at the front of the base section to the transverse central channel 54and further reinforce the base section 16.

It is to be understood that the various parts of the base section thusfar described are preferably of steel and are rigidly secured together,preferably by welding. Also, while reference is made to a bottom plateand base plate, these terms and similar terms are used broadly and eachplate or channel may be of one piece of metal or of several pieces ofmetal.

The top plate 56 extends from the front end of the base section 16 tothe central part of the base section, protruding slightly rearward ofthe channel 54 so as to provide. in conjunction with the underlying partof the base plate 42, a transverse track 65. The tracks 65 and 52 areparallel and are spaced to receive and confiningly guide the rollers 22of the movable section or loader 14 of the platform 12.

As more clearly shown in Fig. 4, spaced rollers 66 are mounted on thebase plate 42 of the base section 16 for rotation about a vertical axis.These rollers are arranged transversely of the base section for ridingin the guide track 30 of the movable section 14. The rollers 22 roll inthe tracks 52 and 65; and the platform 12 is designed so that the tops18'of the movable section 14 and the top 4 56 of the base section 16 areat substantially the same level.

Stops 68 and 69 extend upwardly from the back part of base plate 42 ofthe base section 16 and cooperate with the stops 24 and 25,respectively, of the movable section 14 for limiting the extremepositions to which the section 14 can travel transversely. V

In order to latch the movable section or loader 14 in either of itsextreme transverse positions or in a number of positions therebetween, alatching means is provided for latching the loader and base sections 14and 16 to gether. To this end, the base section 16 includes a pair ofspaced L-shaped lock bars 70 extending through transversely spaced holesin the back part of the base plate 42. The locr. bars 78 are moved by alinkage that comprises a shaft '72 that extends transversely in thelower space of the base section that is between the bottom 31 and baseplate 42 and is journalled in pedestals 74.attached to the bottom 31 inany suitable manner. I

The lower ends of the lock bars 70 are fixed to the shaft 72 and rotatewith it. For rotatingfthe shaft 72 in either direction, it has fixedthereto, substantiallymidway between the lock bars 70, a short lever 74that extends downwardly. The lever 74 underlies" an enlarged access hole'75 in the base plate 42. The lower end of the lever 74 is pivoted to aclevis means 76. The'clevis means 76 is in turn attached to an operatingrod 78 extending longitudinally backward therefrom'for manual (hand)operation of the lock bars 70. To this end, the back end of the rod 78terminates in a handle 79 thatis forward of the back angle 48, but canbe grasped for hand, operation through'a'hole 80 in the angle. Formanual (foot) operation of the lock bars 70, a link 81 extendslongitudinally forward from the clevis means '76 to the end of a leverarm 82 in the lower space of the base section 16. The upper end of thelever arm 62 is fixed to a transverse shaft 84 in the upper space of thebase section. The base plate 42 has an enlarged hole 85 that permitsfree movement of the lever. arm 82 and'also permits access to it. Thecross shaft 84 is suitably journalled in thebase section 16 of theplatform 12, passingthrough holes in the channels 68, 61, 62 and 63 andextending to" the sides 33 and 34 of the base section. Fixed to each endof the cross shaft 84 is an end of a foot pedal 88 whichfextendslongitudinally forward on a level slightly'below the top plate 56 of thebase section 16. As shown in Fig.1, parts of the sides 33 and 34 of thebase section 'and'adjacent parts of the top plate 56 are cut awayto'provide holes 90 for operating access to the foot pedals"88. V In thepreferred embodiment, the lock bars 70 are normally biased into latchingposition. To this endy'the base section 16 is provided with a short"channel-section 92 slightly forward of the hole 80 in the back: angle48. The section 92 is a fixed part of the base section and has a holethrough which the hand-operated rod' 78 passes loosely. However, thesection 92 serves as an'anchor or fixed abutting support for an end of acompression spring 94 which is around the rod 78, the other end'o thespring abutting a collar 96 fixed to the rod 78. i

The platform 12 may be provided with guard railsj98 removably attachedthereto by suitable means, such as insertion into guide sockets 100, orthe like-fixedly secured to the base section 16 by welding or similarmeans, as shown in broken lines in Fig. l.

The operation of the improved platform .or pallet is fairly obvious. Themovable section 14 can be assumed to be in normal position at and inline with the back end of the base section 16, with the rollers 22 ofthe movable section in'the tracks 52- and 64 and resting on the baseplate 42, while the rollers 66 of the base section arein the track 30 ofthe movable section limits side play of the movable section on the baseplate. The compression spring 94 tends to'force the lock bars 70 intonotches 32 thereby latching the movable sectionandbase section together.t

If it is desired to move the movable-section laterally in eitherdirection, the handle79- is pulled outwardly for hand operation oreither of the foot pedals 88 is depressed. Such action causes the shaft72 to rotate the lock bars 70 out of the notches 32, and the movablesection can then be moved to any desired transverse position within thelimits established bythe cooperating stop means 24 and 25 on the movablesection and 68 and 69 on the base section. Upon release of the handle 79or the pedals 88 asthe case may be, the compressed spring 94- forces theshaft' 72/ to rotate in a direction forcing the lock bars 70 into a pairof aligned notches 32 in an obvious manner; it being understood thatslight adjustment of the position of the movable section 14 may benecessary for operable alignment of the lock bars and notches. Thevariousrollers- 22 and 66 have only very limited play, perpendicular totheir axes, in the cooperating tracks so that the movable section 14 isadequately and wholly supported by the base section 16 in any adjustedposition thereof within the limits set by the stops 24, 25, 68 and 69.

During movement of the lift truck, it is preferable to have the sections14 and 16 of the platform 12 aligned in normal position, as indicated bythe solid lines of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 while the movable section 14 or thetop plate 56, or both, is loaded with stores. When the lift truck isbrought alongside the pile Where the stores are to be stored, themovable section 14 can be moved transversely and latched in an unloadingposition along the top of the pile. The movable section is then returnedto its normal position and latched there. Any stores on the top plate 56can be transferred to the unloaded movable section which can again bemoved to the unloading position and latched at the top of the pile. Thetop plate 56, accordingly, acts as a sort of shelf or step for holdinggoods during transportation, and also forms a convenient place forWorkers to stand on. Goods or stores can be loaded from a pile of storesonto the lift truck in an obvious manner by reverse of the operationsdescribed.

By latching the movable section 14 and base section 16 in normalposition, the platform 12 can be used as a conventional rigid pallet.

This application is a continuation of my prior copending application forSafety Pallet-Storage Aid, Serial No. 268,652, filed January 28, 1952,now abandoned.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A platform for use with an industrial lift truck having longitudinalforks, said platform being removably attachable to said forks andcomprising a first section having a base plate and a shelf portion abovesaid base plate, a second transversely movable section mounted on saidbase plate for limited movement transversely of said forks, said movablesection having a top substantially on a level with said shelf portion,latch means for looking said movable section in any of a plurality oftransverse positions relative to said first section, and meanscomprising cooperating parts on said movable section and said firstsection to wholly support said movable section on said first section inany transverse operational position of said movable section.

2. A platform of a type described adapted for use with a lift truckhaving a pair of longitudinally elongated forks, said platformcomprising a base section having verticallyspaced horizontal bottom, topand intermediate plates dividing the base section into an upper portionand a lower portion thereby providing a pair of superposed horizontalspaces, said top plate having a load receiving top, the lower spacebeing adapted to receive said forks, said top plate overlying saidintermediate plate to provide a transverse track intermediate the endsof said platform, a transverse lip spaced above said intermediate plateat an end thereof and cooperating therewith to provide a second track,and a transversely movable section having a plurality of roller meansriding in said tracks for shifting a load transversely of said forks.

3. A platform of a type described adapted for use with a lift truckhaving a pair of longitudinally elongated forks; said platformcomprising a base section having vertically-spaced horizontal bottom,top and intermediate plates dividingthe base section into an upperportion and a lower portion providing a pair of superposed horizontalspaces, said top plate having a load-receiving top,

the lower space being adapted to receive said forks, said top plateoverlying said intermediate plate to provide a. transverse trackintermediate the ends of said platform, a transverse lip spaced abovesaid intermediate plate at an end thereof and cooperating therewith toprovide a second track, and a transversely movable section having aplurality of roller means riding in said tracks, said movable sectionand platform having transverse track and roller means cooperating forlimiting longitudinal play of said movable section.

4. A platform of a type described adapted for use with a lift truckhaving a pair of longitudinally elongated forks, said platformcomprising a base section having vertically-spaced horizontal bottom,top and intermediate plates dividing the base section into an upperportion and a lower portion providing a pair of superposed horizontalspaces, the lower space being adapted to receive said forks and said topplate providing a load-receiving shelf, a load-receiving movable sectionon said intermediate plate adapted for transverse movement, andcooperating means on said movable section and said base section limitingplay of said movable section.

5. A platform as defined in claim 4 but further characterized by the topof said movable section and said shelf being substantially on the samelevel, and manually operable means for holding said movable section inadjustable positions with respect to said base section.

6. A platform as defined in claim 5 but further characterized by saidmanually operable means comprising ahplair of foot operated pedals, oneon each side of said s e 7. A platform as defined in claim 4 but furthercharacterized by manually operable means comprising a lock bar forlocating said movable section in any of a plurality of positions, and apull rod connected with said lock for operating the latter to achievemovement of said movable member,

8. A platform as defined in claim 4 but further characterized bymanually operable means comprising a pivoted lock bar for locking saidmovable member in any of a plurality of positions, a pull rod foroperating said lock bar, a foot pedal adjacent said shelf, and linkagemeans connecting said pedal with said lock bar, whereby said lock barmay be selectively operated by said pull rod or by said foot pedal.

9. A platform adapted for combination with an industrial lift truckhaving forks for supporting a load, a platform attachable to said forksand having afirst section, a second transversely movable section forshifting a load transversely of said forks, latch means for locking saidmovable section in any of a plurality of transverse positions, and meanscomprising cooperating parts on said movable section and said firstsection supporting said movable section wholly by said first section inany of said transverse positions and during movement therebetween.

l0. A platform adapted for combination with an industrial lift truckhaving forks for supporting a load, a platform attachable to said forksand having a first section including a base plate, a second transverselymovable sejction, movable on said base plate for shifting a loadtransversely of said forks, latch means for locking said movable sectionin any of a plurality of transverse positions, and means comprisingcooperating parts on said movable section and said first sectionsupporting said movable section wholly by said first section in any ofsaid transverse positions and during movement therebetween.

11. A platform for combination with an industriallift truck having forksfor supporting a load, said platform comprising a base portionattachable to said forks and having a transversely movable section forshifting said load transversely of said forks, parallel side platesextending from the sides of said movable section, roller means carriedby said side plates and adapted to roll on said base portion, a pair ofspaced intermediate plates parallel to said side plates and locatedtherebetween to form a track for rollers onsaid base portion, a plu- 8ralityof-latchnotches provided in one of said intermediate plates alongthe length thereof, and means adapted to cooperatewlth said notches tohold said transversely movable section in, selected transversepositions.

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